RMIAN Celebrates the Supreme Court’s Ruling Rebuking Trump’s Attack on DREAMers

Westminster, Colorado — Today, the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) celebrates with DREAMers everywhere in response to the Supreme Court’s decision that the Trump administration illegally terminated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.  The decision means that the DACA program remains in place and the approximately 700,000 DREAMers are able to stay in the United States with their families, protected from deportation and able to work.

RMIAN Founding Director, Board Member, and Professor of Law at UCLA, Hiroshi Motomura, explains, “The Supreme Court reached what is clearly the right result. It recognized that the administration’s efforts to end DACA violated basic principles of government decision making. The Supreme Court made clear that the administration cannot ignore the rule of law and arbitrarily take away the basic protections that have allowed so many young people who are at home here to contribute to America.”

The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is deeply relieved by today’s news. Since 2012, RMIAN has provided free representation to file approximately 450 DACA applications for DREAMers who call Colorado home. Yazmin Torres, Senior Paralegal in RMIAN’s Children’s Program, states, “RMIAN stands with DREAMers on this momentous day. DACA recipients can continue working to support themselves and their families, and to contribute to our economy. They can continue pursuing their dreams of higher education and serve as professionals in our society. They can live without constant fear of deportation. Even still, we will continue to work with DACA recipients and their families to fight for the durable protections they deserve. This dream was dreamed by a generation before us who gave us vision. We cannot let the dream die, and we will not.”

It remains critical that Congress act immediately to protect DREAMers and provide a pathway to citizenship. In June of 2019, the House passed the American Dream and Promise Act, yet the Senate has never taken action on it. Ashley Harrington, RMIAN’s Children’s Program Managing Attorney, urges, “Today’s decision is an enormous victory, but the Supreme Court left open the possibility that the Trump Administration could take additional action to rescind DACA. Since day one, this administration has targeted immigrants and refugees, even those brought here as children who have built their entire lives in America and have contributed immeasurably to our country and our community. Congress must finally act to provide meaningful, long-lasting protection to DREAMers so they no longer have to live in fear of this administration’s next attack.”

If you are a DACA recipient, your current grant of DACA will remain in effect until the date of expiration. If your DACA has expired, or is set to expire, you can continue to renew it. If you are eligible for DACA but have never filed, RMIAN is awaiting guidance and for the government to reopen the application process for new applicants. If the Trump administration takes any new actions to rescind the DACA program, RMIAN will be here to help and will continue to fight for the rights of DREAMers. If you have any questions about the decision and its impact on your status, please call RMIAN’s office for a free consultation at (303) 433-2812. 

The decision is Department of Homeland Security et al. v. Regents of the University of California et al., and can be viewed here.

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RMIAN Celebra la Decisión de la Corte Suprema de Reprobar el Ataque de Trump a los DREAMers

Westminster, Colorado – Hoy, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN por sus siglas en inglés) celebra con los DREAMers en todas partes en respuesta a la decisión de la Corte Suprema que la administración de Trump terminó ilegalmente el programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA). La decisión significa que el programa de DACA permanece en su lugar y que aproximadamente 700,000 DREAMers pueden permanecer en Estados Unidos con sus familias, protegidos de la deportación y autorizados para trabajar.
 
El Director Fundador de RMIAN, Miembro de la Junta, y Profesor de Derecho en UCLA, Hiroshi Motomura, explica, “La Corte Suprema alcanzo lo que claramente es el resultado correcto. Reconoció que los esfuerzos de la administración para terminar con DACA violan los principios básicos de la toma de decisiones del gobierno. La Corte Suprema dejo en claro que la administración no puede ignorar el estado de derecho y eliminar arbitrariamente las protecciones básicas que han permitido que tantos jóvenes que están en casa aquí contribuyan a Estados Unidos.”
 
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network ((RMIAN) está profundamente aliviada por la noticia de hoy. Desde el 2012, RMIAN ha proveído representación gratuita para presentar aproximadamente 450 solicitudes de DACA para los DREAMers que llaman a Colorado su hogar.  Yazmin Torres, Paralegal Senior en el Programa de Niños de RMIAN, afirma, “RMIAN esta con los DREAMers en este día trascendental. Los beneficiaros de DACA pueden continuar trabajando para mantenerse a sí mismos y a sus familias, y para contribuir a nuestra economía. Pueden continuar persiguiendo sus sueños de educación superior y servir como profesionales en nuestra sociedad. Pueden vivir sin el constante temor a la deportación. Aun así, seguiremos trabajando con los beneficiaros de DACA y sus familias para luchar por las protecciones duraderas que se merecen. Este sueño fue soñado por una generación anterior a nosotros que nos dio la visión. No podemos dejar que el sueño muera, y no lo haremos.”
 
Permanece siendo critico que el Congreso actúe de inmediato para proteger a los DREAMers y proporcione un camino hacia la ciudadanía. En junio del 2019, la Cámara aprobó la Ley de Promesa y Sueño Americano, sin embargo, el Senado nunca ha tomado medidas al respecto. Ashley Harrington, Abogada Gerente del Programa de Niños de RMIAN, insta, “La decisión de hoy es una victoria enorme, pero la Corte Suprema, ha dejado abierta la posibilidad que la Administración de Trump pueda tomar medidas adicionales para rescindir DACA. Desde el primer día, esta administración se ha ensañado con inmigrantes y refugiados, incluso a aquellos que fueron traídos aquí como niños que han construido toda su vida en Estado Unidos y han contribuido de una manera incondensable a nuestro país y nuestra comunidad. El Congreso finalmente debe de actuar para proporcionar una protección significativa y duradera a los DREAMers para que ya no tengan que vivir con miedo al próximo ataque de esta administración.”
 
Si usted es un beneficiario de DACA, su concesión actual de DACA permanecerá vigente hasta la fecha de vencimiento. Si su DACA ha caducado o esta por caducar, puede continuar renovándolo. Si es elegible para DACA pero nunca ha presentado una solicitud, RMAIN está esperando orientación y que el gobierno vuelva a abrir el proceso de solicitud para nuevos solicitantes. Si la administración Trump toma nuevas medidas para rescindir el programa DACA, RMIAN estará aquí para ayudar y continuará luchando por los derechos de los DREAMers. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la decisión y su impacto en su estatus, llame a la ofician de RMIAN para una consulta gratuita al (303) 433-2812.
 
La decisión es El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional et at. C. Regentes de la Universidad de California et al., y se puede ver aquí.

Black Lives Matter

We, the staff members and board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Advocacy Network (RMIAN), write this collective statement with many emotions and feelings. This moment of national heartbreak and outrage makes painfully clear that many of the most egregious injustices that have plagued this country for so long are still with us. 

So we write out of grief, but also out of frustration and anger, that the most deeply rooted evils of our society — white supremacy, systematic racial injustice, racially-biased policing, and historic oppression — have led again to murder. We mourn George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Laquan McDonald, Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Amadou Diallo, Tamir Rice, Nina Pop, Elijah McClain, De'Von Bailey, and countless other, all-too-often unnamed members of the Black community, Black immigrant community, and Black transgender community.  

We at RMIAN also stand in awe of the inspiring solidarity that has emerged in recent days. In the midst of a pandemic, people bravely stand together against the generational and structural inequality that continuously debases the value of Black lives, including the lives of Black immigrants. People stand together to decry police violence against the many throughout the country who courageously demand justice. This moment makes crystal clear the urgency of investing in Black, immigrant and indigenous communities. It is long overdue to take seriously the urgent need to support housing, education, healthcare, and other essentials to recover from centuries of oppression.

From RMIAN’s work as an organization that stands and works for justice — and for the idea that justice for immigrants is justice for all — we know how a high proportion of Black immigrants are deported as a result of overpolicing in our communities. We know that the “national security” and “public safety” justifications used by police, ICE, and CBP are often just smokescreens for racially-driven surveillance of the marginalized, the underserved, and the undercounted. 

And we know that although this is a moment of profound sadness, it is also a moment for real action that starts by affirming that RMIAN stands in solidarity with the Black community. Especially important is the work of Black Lives Matter and sister organizations, including Black Lives Matter 5280, to make justice out of injustice. 

In RMIAN’s fight to uplift, honor, and value the contributions Black people have made in this country, we also recognize that as individuals and an organization we can do more to show up for Black communities. And so we urge you to join us in taking actions like these:

• Observe a National Day of Mourning this Thursday  

• Sign this petition by Color of Change calling for the end of police violence against Black people 

• See these anti-racism resources

• Complete your Census form and encourage everyone you know to do the same 

• Vote and sign up to get out the vote

And consider supporting and donating to those at the front lines of this current fight: 

• Black Lives Matter

• Movement for Black Lives

• Law for Black Lives

• Circle of Mothers

We will not stop until we have a country and a world where, truly, Black Lives Matter. Let’s together help bring to life the words of George Floyd’s daughter Gianna, “DADDY CHANGED THE WORLD!”  

--RMIAN Staff Members & Board of Directors, June 3, 2020

Pro Bono Attorney Training on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: A Practical Training for Attorneys

Friday, June 26, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm, presented virtually via Zoom.

Are you a Colorado family law attorney interested in helping immigrant children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment? Or are you an attorney interested in learning how to expand your practice to help children in their immigration cases? If so, we hope that you will consider joining the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) for an upcoming virtual CLE. Learn about Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), the process of getting the required SIJS order in custody and guardianship proceedings in Colorado, and the process to pursue this unique pathway to lawful permanent residence. Practical advice and template orders will be provided. The first part of the training (starting at 8:30 am) will cover Colorado state court proceedings and the second part (starting at 10:30 am) will cover representation of youth before US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the immigration court. Participants are welcome to join either or both sessions.

Click here to RSVP.

*Free training for anyone who agrees to take a pro bono case from RMIAN within one year.  CLE accreditation pending.

Presenters: 

Kacie Mulhern, Esq., Staff Attorney at the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center (RMCLC)

Kathleen Glynn, Esq., Senior Associate Attorney at Grob & Eirich, LLC

Ashley Harrington, Esq., Managing Attorney, RMIAN's Children's Program

Natalie Petrucci, Esq., Pro Bono Coordinating Staff Attorney, RMIAN's Childrens’ Program

RMIAN Calls on DHS to Restore Border Protections for Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children During COVID-19

Last week, RMIAN and partner organizations called on DHS to restore humanitarian protections for asylum seekers, many of whom are unaccompanied children, at the border during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the demand letter here.

Governor Polis Launches Spanish Language Facebook and Twitter Pages

DENVER -  Governor Jared Polis today launched Spanish language Facebook and Twitter pages to help disseminate important information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Now, more than ever we need to be communicating with as many Coloradans as possible,” said Governor Jared Polis. “By launching these new social media pages, we hope that we can further connect with Spanish speaking Coloradans and ensure they are getting the latest information as it’s being released. We are all in this together and we will get through this together.”

Coloradans can visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GovofCoEspanol/ and the Twitter page at twitter.com/GovofCoEspanol. 

El Gobernador Polis Lanza Páginas de Facebook y Twitter en Español 

DENVER - El gobernador Jared Polis, anunció el día de hoy, el lanzamiento de páginas en Facebook y Twitter en español para ayudar a difundir información importante relacionada con la pandemia COVID-19.

"Ahora, más que nunca, necesitamos comunicarnos con la mayor cantidad posible de habitantes de Colorado", dijo el gobernador Jared Polis. "Al lanzar estas nuevas páginas de redes sociales, esperamos poder conectarnos aún más con los habitantes de Colorado de habla hispana y asegurarnos de que obtengan la información más reciente a medida que se publica. Todos estamos juntos en esto y lo superaremos juntos ”.

Los habitantes de Colorado pueden visitar la página de Facebook en www.facebook.com/GovofCoEspanol/ y la página de Twitter en twitter.com/GovofCoEspanol.

The Colorado Independent: ICE moves hundreds of detainees in and out of the Aurora ICE detention facility during the pandemic

Webinar: COVID-19 Detention Litigation Updates

Webinar: The War on Asylum and How You Can Help

RMIAN Volunteer Interpreter & Translator Training this Thursday!

“I volunteer with RMIAN because I want migrants and asylum seekers to know they are not alone in their pursuit of their human rights. I love translating. It is a special privilege to help people tell their life stories as they go through a legal system that can seem so confusing and dehumanizing.” - RMIAN volunteer translator, Robert Weis

Become a RMIAN interpreter/translator volunteer by attending this Thursday's virtual training from 5-6:15pm MST! Email lklafehn@rmian.org to register.

View training details here.

CLE Webinar: Fighting for Due Process in the Immigration System

Webinar: Representing Noncitizens with Mental Illness in Removal Proceedings

Webinar: Public Charge Information

RMIAN and Partners Send Letter to Colorado Governor Urging Releases from ICE Detention Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

ICE Releases 8 of 14 Petitioners 24 Hours After Advocates File Lawsuit To Order Release of Medically-Vulnerable People in ICE Custody

Denver — After the lawsuit filed by Arnold & Porter, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG), and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) for the release of 14 medically-vulnerable people in civil immigration detention at the Aurora ICE Processing Center in Colorado yesterday, ICE officials released 8 of the 14 petitioners within 24 hours. 

The 8 people released from immigration detention are all people living with HIV. “RMIAN is elated to see the release of these eight resilient women” says Laura Lunn of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. “Yesterday, our clients were trapped in a cage that stripped them of any autonomy over their personal safety and wellbeing. Today, these women are finally able to protect themselves. It is astonishing the difference a day – and a federal lawsuit – makes.” 

RMIAN Social Service Project, along with many community organizations, including the American Friends Service Committee, Casa de Paz, the Santa Fe Dreamers Project, and Las Americas, are receiving the women upon release and providing food, housing, and travel assistance. Jordan Garcia, Colorado Program Director of the American Friends Service Committee, states, “COVID-19 unmasks how caging people threatens public health. As a society, we cannot treat anyone as expendable. Today we are relieved and heartened that these women were released into the hand of caring community, who can make sure that their needs are taken care of. We hope that more members of our community can be released in the coming days and weeks.”

“This is a great result for many of our clients, but our work is not done” said Tim Macdonald, pro bono counsel at Arnold & Porter. Co-counsel in the case will continue to fight for release of the 6 petitioners who remain detained, all of whom have medical vulnerabilities that make them especially susceptible to serious illness or death should they contract COVID-19. Adrienne Boyd, also of Arnold & Porter, urged, “There is no reason for ICE to continue to detain our remaining clients. Their lives are on the line and they should be released as soon as possible.”

The lawsuit fits into a broader movement of litigation around the country asking federal judges to order release of vulnerable people detained in ICE custody in response to ICE inaction in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Sirine Shebaya, of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, explains, “We are thrilled that our 8 clients have been released after the filing of this lawsuit. But it should not have taken emergency litigation to achieve this outcome. Their quick release shows that ICE is fully capable of releasing people, and is aware of the special vulnerabilities affecting many of those it is currently detaining, but is not taking the actions it should unless compelled to do so. That is the same pattern we are seeing across the country—a refusal to acknowledge the extreme emergency and the immediate need to release persons who are detained so they can safely self-isolate during this difficult time.”

Co-counsel’s emergency filing urges the court to take up the case on an expedited basis, in light of the grave harm that could befall the people detained at any moment. 

The lawsuit cites the severe risk the COVID-19 pandemic poses to the health and safety of the petitioners, who all have serious medical vulnerabilities. The ICE detention facility in Aurora, Colorado has failed to put in place CDC-recommended preventive measures, and is unable to provide adequate medical care in the event of an outbreak at the facility. 

Detained people do not have personal protective equipment or cleaning supplies other than a generic bath bar and spray solution. Five staff members who work in the facility have tested positive for the virus, and several dorm units in the facility were placed under quarantine. Given the presence of the virus among the facility staff, attorneys say it is reasonable to suspect that detained individuals have already been exposed and that serious illness or death is inevitable for many immigrants and asylum seekers confined in the facility. 

The clients included in this group all experience serious health issues, including respiratory illness, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, cancer, asthma, and otherwise severely compromised immune systems. One petitioner has a history of cancer, is living with only one lung, and has chronic asthma, yet she is unable to control her contact with the outside world given that she is currently detained. Attorneys say coronavirus quarantines have exacerbated the already dire conditions in the ICE facility.

Co-counsel in the case are Timothy Macdonald, Adrienne Boyd, Katie Custer, and Sarah Grey of Arnold & Porter, Sirine Shebaya, Khaled Alrabe, and Amber Qureshi of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and Laura Lunn of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. 

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With nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing in 14 offices around the globe, Arnold & Porter serves clients across 40 distinct practice areas. The firm offers 100 years of renowned regulatory expertise, sophisticated litigation and transactional practices, and leading multidisciplinary offerings in the life sciences and financial services industries. 

The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and support to community-based immigrant organizations, legal practitioners, and all advocates seeking and working to advance the rights of noncitizens. NIPNLG utilizes impact litigation, advocacy, and public education to pursue its mission. Follow NIPNLG on social media: National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild on Facebook, @NIPNLG on Twitter.

The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides critical immigration legal services to individuals in immigration detention, as well as to children and families throughout Colorado. Follow RMIAN on social media: The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network on Facebook, @RMIAN_org on Twitter. 

The case is Codner v. Choate and was filed in federal district court in Denver on April 14, 2020.

Westword: ICE Releases Eight Detainees From Aurora Day After Lawsuit Filed

Denver Post: Immigration advocates petition for release of 14 people from Aurora ICE detention facility

Law Week Colorado: Immigrant Groups Sue for Detainees’ Release

Denverite: Immigration attorneys sue for the release of “14 medically-vulnerable people” detained in Aurora

The Colorado Independent: Attorneys sue ICE to release medically vulnerable detainees from Aurora detention center